[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H1967-H1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1420
KAREEM N. DOCKERY MEDAL OF HONOR ACT
Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
[[Page H1968]]
Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill
(H.R. 7194) to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to
Kareem N. Dockery for acts of valor as a member of the Army while
serving in Afghanistan, and ask for its immediate consideration in the
House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7194
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Kareem N. Dockery Medal of
Honor Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On October 2, 2012, then 2nd Lieutenant Kareem N.
Dockery was serving as an Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader with
the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat
Team (Light), 4th Infantry Division, in support of Operation
ENDURING FREEDOM.
(2) Dockery's platoon and accompanying Afghan and ITS
forces were conducting combat operations in Kapisa Province,
Afghanistan when they were ambushed with rifle, machine gun,
and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire by a large group of
Taliban fighters.
(3) During the ambush, Dockery moved between Afghan units
with his own small element, attempting to rally and reinforce
partner forces with his own small element.
(4) Hearing that one of his soldiers was wounded,
Lieutenant Dockery moved inside a courtyard to defend the
small, isolated group of United States soldiers.
(5) He assaulted into the next room to kill 1 enemy fighter
with his carbine.
(6) Surrounded by more enemy fighters, Dockery rallied the
remaining 4 United States soldiers to continue to defend the
courtyard.
(7) As the enemy continued its assault, additional RPG and
grenade blasts suppressed the fire team. Attempting to regain
the momentum, Dockery led a counterattack to clear the
courtyard, at one point using his body to shield a soldier
from an enemy grenade explosion.
(8) The enemy again counter-attacked the compound with 10
additional fighters. RPG fire and grenades wounded the entire
element and destroyed the last covered position of Lieutenant
Dockery's team.
(9) Noticing that one of his NCOs was missing, Lieutenant
Dockery moved into a nearby alley and found 2 enemy fighters
dragging away an unconscious United States soldier.
Lieutenant Dockery assaulted the 2 fighters and killed them
both in close combat.
(10) Dockery then administered CPR and first aid to the
soldier, saving his life.
(11) To mark the element's position for friendly helicopter
gunships to suppress the remaining embassy, Dockery then
moved to the roof of the compound, still under enemy fire,
and fired smoke grenades.
(12) In recognition of his actions, Kareem N. Dockery
received the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action against the enemy, demonstrating
heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty at
the risk of life, keeping with the highest traditions of
military service and reflect credit upon himself, ?4th
Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and the United States
Army.
(13) Kareem N. Dockery deserves the Medal of Honor for his
extraordinary heroism and selflessness as he successfully
protected his element from an enemy ambush and killed 3 enemy
fighters, while repeatedly putting his life in danger for the
safety of his fellow soldiers.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO KAREEM
N. DOCKERY FOR ACTS OF VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE
ARMY WHILE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN.
(a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding the time limitations
specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or
any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of
certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the
President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under
section 7271 of such title, to Kareem N. Dockery for the acts
of valor described in subsection (b).
(b) Acts of Valor Described.--The acts of valor described
in section 2 of this Act are the actions of Kareem N.
Dockery, as a member of the Army, on October 2, 2012, while
serving in Afghanistan, for which he was previously awarded
the Silver Star.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Bacon
Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Nicholas Dockery Medal of
Honor Act''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO NICHOLAS
DOCKERY FOR ACTS OF VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE
ARMY WHILE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN.
(a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding the time limitations
specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or
any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of
certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the
President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under
section 7271 of such title, to Nicholas Dockery, formerly
known as Kareem N. Dockery for the acts of valor described in
subsection (b).
(b) Acts of Valor Described.--The acts of valor described
in section 2 of this Act are the actions of Nicholas Dockery,
as a member of the Army, on October 2, 2012, while serving in
Afghanistan, for which he was previously awarded the Silver
Star.
Mr. BACON (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
to dispense with the reading of the amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
The amendment was agreed to.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery
for acts of valor as a member of the Army while serving in
Afghanistan.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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